West: Elbow to Blake Griffin not "that big of a deal"

For the first time in nearly five years, David West was kicked out of an NBA game.

At the end of the first half of Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-92, West extended an elbow to the head of Blake Griffin. West was initially issued a Flagrant Foul 1 but when officials reviewed the play, the call was escalated to a Flagrant Foul 2 which meant an automatic ejection from the game.

In addition to the ejection, the league announced Sunday West was fined $15,000.

"I just kind of got my arm locked," West said. "I was a little frustrated but I just lost my head for a little second."

In the play, which can be seen here, Griffin stands under the rim after attempting a layup that did not beat the halftime buzzer. The play is over and Griffin stands flatfooted to retrieve the ball. West, standing behind Griffin, also reaches for the ball with his right arm. Griffin doesn't move and West grows agitated, raising his elbow to move Griffin's head out of the way.

Griffin's teammate Matt Barnes then wrapped his arms around West. After angrily wrestling free, West walked off the floor to the locker room. Minutes later, he learned that he would not be allowed back in the game.

"David was pretty mad when he found out he was ejected," teammate Ian Mahinmi said. "We had his back. We're like a band of brothers and we always try to have each other's back."

West confirmed Mahinmi's description.

"Yeah, I was mad," West said. "I didn't realize I got thrown out because to me it wasn't that big of a deal. Once I found out (I was ejected), guys were ready to just play and go out to do what we had to do."

Pacers coach Frank Vogel revealed that the team was surprised upon learning about West's ejection.

"It was a little bit of shock to be honest with you," Vogel said. "It's kind of a weird thing seeing something like that and knowing you're not going to go out there with your backbone of your team."

After the victory, West said that he did not expect further discipline from the league. Vogel agreed, although he made the statement before viewing a replay of the altercation.

"I wouldn't think so," Vogel responded when asked if he thinks West may face a one-game suspension.

The NBA defines a flagrant foul 2 as "unnecessary and excessive contact. This usually has a swinging motion, hard contact, and a follow through."

Also, the league has a detailed review process following flagrant fouls. Per the NBA:

1. The League Office will review all flagrant fouls ("1" and "2") and will have the right, following review, to reclassify a flagrant foul or to classify as flagrant a foul not called flagrant during a game.

2. In addition, the League Office maintains the right to impose a fine and/or suspension upon any player who commits a flagrant foul at any time during the Regular Season (regardless of whether the point levels described above are reached) or during an Exhibition or Playoff Game.

3. The League Office will consider the following factors (as well as any other relevant facts and circumstances) in determining whether to classify a foul as Flagrant "1" or Flagrant "2", to reclassify a flagrant foul, or to impose a fine and/or suspension on the player involved: how hard the foul was; the outcome of the foul (e.g., whether it led to an altercation); and the level of the injury sustained by the player who was fouled.

After the play, Pacer legend and TNT commentator Reggie Miller took to Twitter to voice his opinion.

"Flagrant 2 on David West? Really ?@NBA... League is softer than Charmin Toilet Paper.. ?#LetThemPlay"

One of the few elder statesmen inside the Pacers' locker room, Danny Granger, thought that the West elbow would have not led to an ejection when he was a younger player in the league.

"About eight years ago, they were letting you play," said Granger, who is in his ninth season. "You could do all that and it would have been a technical but now they review everything. It's just the way the league (runs)."